Oscar-winning actor and longtime political activist George Clooney believes the era of Donald Trump—and the ideology surrounding him—is nearing its end.
In a wide-ranging interview with Anderson Cooper aired Wednesday on CNN, Clooney spoke candidly about his concerns regarding Trump’s influence and the fear that often comes with criticizing powerful figures. Despite those fears, Clooney made clear that silence isn’t an option.
“Everybody worries about it,” Clooney said, referring to potential backlash for speaking out. “But if you spend your life worrying about things, then you won’t do things.”
Clooney, who shares twins Alexander and Ella with human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, emphasized the importance of moral clarity, especially for the sake of future generations. “We, like everybody, we have a family and we have a life, and we try to live and do the things as the best example for our kids,” he explained. “I want to be able to look my kids in the eye and say where we stood and what we did at certain times in history. And I have no problem with that.”
The conversation then turned to “Trumpism”—the political and cultural movement tied to Trump’s persona. Clooney argued that it’s unlikely to endure without Trump himself at the center.
“He’s a celebrity, and he’s the president of the United States, and so he has been elected. Duly elected, fair deal,” Clooney acknowledged. “But he’s also a celebrity, and he is charming. And to the people who like him, they think he’s funny. To a great many others, they don’t.”
Clooney went on to predict that Trump’s political appeal is not easily transferable.
“So when [Trump] is finished—and he will be finished—they’re going to have to go looking for someone who can deliver the message that he delivered with the same kind of charisma, and they don’t have that,” he said.
Clooney’s comments come in the midst of a long-running and increasingly personal feud with Trump. In July 2024, Trump lashed out at Clooney via Truth Social after the actor penned a New York Times op-ed urging President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race. Trump dismissed Clooney as a “fake movie actor” and claimed, “Movies never really worked for him!!!”
The jabs continued into 2025, with Trump in March calling Clooney a “second rate movie ‘star’” and a “failed political pundit.”
Despite the vitriol, Clooney remains unfazed. His latest remarks underscore not only his political convictions, but also a broader warning: that Trump’s unique political magnetism may fade—but the forces it unleashed still demand scrutiny.
